HC Deb 26 April 1948 vol 450 cc10-1
26. Mr. Marples

asked the Minister of Works whether the recent increases in wages in the building industry apply to both unionists and non-unionists alike.

The Minister of Works (Mr. Key)

The wage agreements reached by the joint negotiating machinery make no distinction between unionists and non-unionists.

Mr. Marples

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Coventry Corporation are paying labourers who are not unionists 2s. 2½d. an hour and labourers who are unionists 2s. 6d. an hour? Does he think it equitable that the ratepayers' and taxpayers' money should be used by a Socialist council to induce workmen to join a trade union?

Mr. Key

As the Minister of Labour informed the hon. Gentleman, this is a matter in which we have no power to intervene.